Gaston police had 16 calls in 21 months to home of murdered toddler

Gaston County Police have responded to intense scrutiny of the murder of 3-year-old Jordyn Dumont this week by releasing a detailed list of 16 visits made to the home in the 21 months leading up to her murder this week.

The list clarifies earlier reports that police made 49 visits to the home at 1904 Bess Town Road in Bessemer City over the past three years. Most of those 49 calls were prior to the time Jordyn and her mother moved to the home in Nov. 2015. (Her name was spelled Jordan in earlier police reports.)

Jordyn was found dead in a wooded area near the home on Tuesday and her mother’s boyfriend, William McCullen, has been charged with the murder. He had his first Gaston County Court appearance Wednesday and is being held without bond.

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Among the calls are at least two instances in which the toddler’s biological father, Josh Kinnett, called with concerns about his daughter’s welfare. In both cases, police said they found no reason for concern.

Kinnett, who lives in Illinois, told Observer’s news partner WBTV that it had been about 18 months since he last saw his daughter. He began driving to Charlotte when she was reported missing earlier this week, and he found out about her death shortly before arriving, WBTV reports.

“There are no words to describe all this. It’s just so overwhelming,” he told WBTV.

He said Jordyn’s mother stopped staying in contact with him, but he says he had gotten calls from her about being beaten by McCullen. Kinnett said he wondered if his daughter was in danger, but he said Jordyn's mother told him the little girl had never complained about being beaten by McCullen.

“I believe she would tell somebody,” he told WBTV. “I didn't think that he was doing it to my children. I thought about it, but no parent ever wants to think it. It just drives you to the point of insanity.”

April 6, 2016: Person came to house to retrieve medication and McCullen and Dumont would not let him in.

May 14, 2016: Argument between two unrelated people who were there babysitting. Reporting person was concerned for children. No issues discovered.

June 02, 2016: Jordyn Dumont’s biological father called to have police check her welfare due to not hearing from Jaylene Dumont in a while. Jaylene told officer that she did not want to have any contact from Jordyn’s father. Officer returned to the residence a short time later to follow up with Jaylene Dumont about the same call. No issues with the children were discovered. (Considered two separate calls.)

June 6, 2016: Jordyn Dumont’s biological father called again wanting to have the police check on the welfare of children in the house after he received a letter from Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services. Officer checked on the children and found no issues.

Police say 33 other calls were made to the home, prior to the arrival of William and Jaylene in November 2015.

Anyone who observed Jordyn and William on Monday prior to 3:30 p.m. or anyone who observed the children being abused prior to Monday is asked to contact Gaston County Police at (704) 866-3320 or Crimestoppers at (704) 861-8000.